Colt Gill picked to be deputy superintendent of public instruction

Colt Gill has been named to be Oregon’s new deputy superintendent of public instruction. He was one of the speakers at OSBA’s Annual Convention in November.

Gov. Kate Brown has chosen Colt Gill to be Oregon’s deputy superintendent of public instruction. Gill must still be confirmed by the Senate.

The governor is the head of the Oregon Department of Education, but the deputy superintendent is the chief administrative officer for all public school matters.

Gill said he would continue Brown's vision for ODE, working to ensure that all students get the full benefit of programs and that a high standard of accountability guards the public’s investment in education.

“This vision will require collaboration between the Oregon Department of Education and all of our education partners, including our local education leaders on school district and ESD boards,” he said Friday.

Gill became the acting deputy superintendent in October, replacing Salam Noor, who held the job for a little more than two years.

“Colt Gill has our wholehearted support in taking on this important role,” said Jim Green, OSBA’s executive director.

“He is a proven leader in Oregon schools and understands the challenges we face, especially in lifting graduation rates, closing the achievement gap and addressing equity issues,” Green said. “He is dedicated and responsive. We look forward to continuing to work with him in support of Oregon’s young people.”

In 2016, Brown named Gill as the state’s first Education Innovation Officer. Gill met with communities and school districts to explore best practices and develop strategies to improve Oregon’s education system, and he championed equity initiatives. Before that he was superintendent of the Bethel School District, where graduation rates for historically underserved students rose under his leadership.